Bai Ruozhu ignored his attitude and continued, "But you can't stop Tu Ying from returning home, can you? She has family too. Aren't you worried about her?"

"I manage my disciple; how can I let you have more say? Get lost!" Kong Hefeng rudely scolded.

Jiang Yichun's face darkened, "I'm giving you a bit of respect. Don't think too highly of yourself. Try insulting my wife again!"

"What's wrong with me insulting her? Try to hit me if you dare!" Kong Hefeng shouted with his neck stretched.

Ao Qi, next to him, spoke angrily, "You repeatedly claim to be Little Ying's master, yet you always cause trouble. Have you ever thought about your disciple?"

Tu Ying hurriedly stepped forward to block Kong Hefeng, saying to Bai Ruozhu, "Ruozhu, tell your man not to get physical. I will persuade my master properly."

Bai Ruozhu hurriedly pulled Jiang Yichun back, "Forget it, let them talk."

At least Tu Ying was safe and sound. Bai Ruozhu was already very happy to see her again, so a master with a foul temper could do as he pleased.

Tu Ying wiped the tear marks from her face and walked to Kong Hefeng, kneeling down with a thud.

"Master, disciple has been unfilial and does not want to stay in the Valley forever. I still have parents to honor; they've worried for me for so long. I must return to their side to accompany them, and given my brother's situation, please grant my request, Master."

After she finished speaking, she repeatedly kowtowed three times. Ao Qi anxiously called her name. Sure enough, when she raised her head, her forehead was bruised and swollen, and a piece of skin was broken, bleeding.

"Little Ying, why are you doing this? He doesn't truly see you as a disciple. He just wants to keep you trapped indefinitely, not considering your feelings. You've been trapped by him for so long, it's already repaid his life-saving grace." Ao Qi said angrily.

Bai Ruozhu understood; Tu Ying had been missing for such a long time because she was trapped by her master in the Valley, not allowed to return home or contact the outside world. Fortunately, she saved Ao Qi, who accidentally fell off a cliff, and Ao Qi, who persistently searched for her, otherwise she might never have returned home, perhaps for many years or even a lifetime.

"What's about accompanying your parents? You just want to elope with this guy, right? He has alluring eyes and clearly isn't a good person. You'll inevitably be deceived by him!" Kong Hefeng shouted at Tu Ying.

Tu Ying gritted her teeth, "I must return home, and I trust him."

Ao Qi's face blossomed with a smile, "Little Ying..."

Kong Hefeng turned red with rage and tried to struggle to get up to hit Tu Ying but was too weak due to poison, collapsing back to the ground halfway up.

"Ungrateful disciple! Ungrateful disciple!" Kong Hefeng pointed at Tu Ying's nose and cursed.

Ao Song leaned next to Bai Ruozhu and whispered, "A father reluctant to marry off his daughter is common, but does a master need to be so emotional?"

Bai Ruozhu also found Tu Ying's master peculiar. Did he have a mental issue? Even if you saved her, and surely she would be grateful for a lifetime, you can't forbid her from going home, can you?

Was he traumatized and didn't want to leave the Valley, so lonely that he wanted a companion?

Isn't that selfish too? If you're lonely, can't her parents miss their daughter? How can Tu Ying not return home to honor her parents while living carefreely?

"Master, I must return home. Forgive my unfilial behavior; we shall part ways here. Don't pursue me anymore. I'll come to visit you when I can." Tu Ying said as she got up from the ground and approached Bai Ruozhu, asking, "The poison my master has..."

Bai Ruozhu nodded, signaling that the poison would wear off in a period. Of course, she didn't mention that it would take about three days during which he would gradually regain strength to walk but couldn't use his inner strength.

"Ying'er, come back to me; I forbid you to leave!" Kong Hefeng shouted, but Tu Ying had already mounted a horse with determination, galloping forward.

Bai Ruozhu quickly went to free Ao Qi and the others from poison before riding to catch up. Gao Zhou sent a message to Mo Beishan, instructing them to follow.

Ao Qi glanced at Kong Hefeng, who still struggled to get up, sighing helplessly, and then arranged for several subordinates to secretly protect Kong Hefeng.

"Watch carefully; don't let him be led astray. Once the poison is cured, return to Beiyu City." Ao Qi said, glaring at them, "Don't cause trouble, or you won't follow me anymore."

Several subordinates hurriedly shed any thoughts of revenge and hid in the nearby forest.

Bai Ruozhu observed everything. Feeling more admiration for Ao Qi, this guy truly cared about Tu Ying, even arranging protection for Kong Hefeng while fearing Tu Ying might be upset. If it were her, not cleaning up Kong Hefeng would be a relief in itself.

She sent Jiang Yihong to take care of the child while she chased ahead to join Tu Ying on horseback.

Tu Ying's face was streaked with tears again. Wiping them away, she smiled at Bai Ruozhu, "Back then, I was so headstrong, thinking I could be a female general, but ended up causing so much trouble and almost lost my life, not to mention the situation with my brother."

"Your brother didn't join the military because of you, and the accident nobody wanted. Besides, I'll heal him, so don't blame yourself for everything." Bai Ruozhu patted her shoulder.

"You've improved quite a bit in riding." Tu Ying forced a smile. "I've told you all about being stuck in the Valley with boredom. What's your story? How did you end up here?"

Bai Ruozhu started narrating the events that had happened recently. Tu Ying expressed frequent surprise, exclaiming when hearing Jiang Yichun was inflicted by the Thousand-Person Blood Sacrifice.

Ao Qi watched her not far away, smiling as he noticed Tu Ying with her friends transformed back to her original self, no longer as worried and melancholic as before.

The two chatted for a long time until Little Tiaotiao started crying for milk, prompting Bai Ruozhu to hurriedly return to the horse carriage. Tu Ying then realized Bai Ruozhu had given birth to another son.

"It's not just another son; it's twins, two sons!" Bai Ruozhu said indignantly, "I wanted daughters."

Tu Ying couldn't help but laugh again, showing the vibrant spirit of the Beiyu City's renowned female tyrant, clad in fine clothes, with her majestic air.

After Bai Ruozhu finished feeding, Tu Ying joined her in the carriage, where she alternately held and squeezed Little Dengdeng and Little Tiaotiao's little hands, her face full of affection.

"You seem to love children. When we return, hurry and marry Ao Qi and have one yourself to play with." Bai Ruozhu teased with a smile.

Tu Ying blushed, meekly asking, "Your second brother must have married by now, right?"

Bai Ruozhu gazed at her feeling concerned—could she not have gotten over her feelings for her second brother?

"Don't misunderstand, I've let go; I'm just asking out of curiosity." Tu Ying hurriedly explained.

If she truly let go, likely she wouldn't have given her second brother a thought. Bai Ruozhu sighed inwardly, thinking Ao Qi needed to work harder.

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Regarding the deaths of Honglian and Sangji, some Book Friends found the writing insufficiently deep; Mouka also felt it was done hastily. Therefore, he revised it, and those who subscribed can refresh to see the new content, which adds over a thousand words, without additional charges. Seeing Mouka working so hard, how about giving me some monthly votes?

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